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Coast Southwest is a leading full-service, chemical distribution and ingredient technology company. From six strategic locations, we serve manufacturers and formulators for personal care and household products throughout the United States with high-quality functional ingredients, on-time deliveries, and exceptional customer service.

Discover Coast Southwest

Coast Southwest was incorporated in 1985 in Placentia, CA as a regional distributor. Today the company serves customers across the U.S. and has expanded operations to six locations, including an innovation center for research and development in Arlington, TX.

Coast Southwest sponsors the California YBTC! Program, which enhances K-8 science education by introducing the science of chemistry as it relates to our everyday lives. The capstone of the program is the annual California YBTC Challenge.

We provide a wide range of preservative systems and solutions, from classic preservation to contemporary and custom solutions, specifically designed and refined to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s personal care market.

Oleochemicals

We offer a vast array of basic oleochemical products from the foremost producers around the world.

Coast Southwest provides sample formulas that chemists can use to develop a variety of applications, from leading- edge products that use the latest in ingredients and technologies to economy products for the mass market.

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The Innovation Blog

Highlighting the inventiveness and trends shaping our industry and its future.

Marine Algae Scores Big in Anti-Pollution Skincare

Marine Algae Scores Big in Anti-Pollution Skincare

Anti-pollution skincare continues to pique consumer interest, with the segment projected to experience “record exponential growth by 2028,” as both air pollution and urban populations continue to be on the rise.

“As the urban population globally is expected to grow… The need for skin care which would protect against one of the biggest problems associated with large cities, pollution, is set to expand, positively contributing to skin care value sales.” – Euromonitor

For consumers, anti-pollution skincare is seen as “The Latest Beauty Trend You Should Know About” and an increasingly necessary product addition to a skincare routine. Excitingly, for concerned consumers, one of the best natural ingredients to combat pollution’s deleterious effects on the skin is the trending red marine algae, otherwise known as the naturally protective “fountain of youth” by those in the know.

The potential pollutants

Today, experts have discovered that a wide variety of ambient air pollution (outdoor pollution) and household (or indoor pollution) particles can wreak havoc on the skin. Some of the worst – and most common- offenders include:

These four overarching problem areas create a host of nasty problems for the skin like premature signs of aging, inflammation and redness, dullness, increased symptoms of dehydration and flakiness, dark spots, discoloration, and acne outbreaks that are harder to control.

However, even though air pollution is at an all-time high, formulators can offer consumers protective and preventive skincare anti-pollution products by harnessing the natural, shielding powers of red marine algae.

Red marine algae: a natural defender against pollutants

Red marine algae grows and thrives in harsh conditions like rocky coastal plains, where constant changes in temperature, pH levels, sunlights, and bacteria affect plant and animal life. But, in order to become one of the oldest surviving organisms on the planet, red marine algae has adapted to these harsh conditions by acting as its own shield, essentially protecting itself against uncontrollable environmental factors.

This natural, shield-like quality of red marine is what makes this natural ingredient so perfect for anti-pollution skincare products. When red marine algae is applied topically to the skin, like on the face, neck, or hands, the marine algae will create a film, or cellular shield. This shield helps to deflect the potential damage caused by UV rays, chemicals, smokes, dirt, or any combination of pollutants to the skin.

This shield-like quality is what makes red algae perfect for anti-pollution skincare products.

An antioxidant powerhouse

Red marine algae is also such a star ingredient for anti-pollution skincare products thanks to the high amount of naturally occurring antioxidants within the organism.

Additionally, red marine algae is packed with peptides, carotenoids, and carrageenan, which also help to protect the skin from pollution. Topically applied peptides help the bodymanufacture new collagen, which can help slow or diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – two especially unwanted side effects of daily interaction with pollutants. Meanwhile, carotenoids help to protect against UV rays and brighten skin, while carrageenan binds water to the skin, effectively fighting against dehydration.

For a naturally nourishing, protective ingredient, red marine simply can’t be topped for its powerfully practical applications in an anti-pollution skincare formulation.